Striving to See and Live Life from God's Perspective

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PT 11-3-13

Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty (abundance), and thy presses shall burst out (break out) with new wine.”

This Hebrew word is used only twice in the Bible and that in context of the Lord’s blessing for obedience (Duet. 28:8). This word is in the plural form, so once again we catch a glimpse of the nature of God. When God blesses His children for obeying Him, one storehouse will never do, He fills multiple storehouses with plenty! Wow!

In ancient times, all grape juice fermented or unfermented was called “wine.” In this context, the “new wine” clearly means “fresh grape juice.” The Bible frequently uses “fresh grape juice” as a symbol of God’s blessing.

Solomon is giving his son a brief reiteration of what God told Israel in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. “The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.” (Deut. 28:8-9)

To experience God’s blessing requires us to honor God in two ways

With our substance (wealth)

The firstfruits, meaning the chief, beginning, first of all our increase, gain, or revenue.

Foundational to this proper honor of God is trusting the Lord and reverencing Him (Prov. 3:5-8).

When God’s people failed to give Him their tithes and offerings of their increase, God said they were robbing Him. As a result, the devourer was destroying the fruits of their ground. However, God promised blessing so great that His people would not have room enough to receive it if they would honor Him through their tithes (Malachi 3:6-12). As Christians, our tithes ought to be a joyful act of worship to God (1 Cor. 9:6).

Are you honoring God with the best He has given you? Are you regularly and cheerfully tithing to your local church? In what ways have you seen God bless you because of your obedience? Are you as excited to give to God as He is to you? God honors those who honor Him.